Air Peace is urging UK authorities to allow slots access at London Heathrow (LHR), according to a report by Nigerian newspaper The Whistler. The news comes as the airline has recently obtained the UK Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization.

Following the recent approval to fly to the UK, the country's aviation authorities have proposed Air Peace to run flight operations from either London Stansted (STN) or London Gatwick (LGW). Both airports are on the UK's list of the top five busiest. However, the chief executive of the airline, Allen Onyema, rejected the offer by the UK authorities, citing the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).

The chief executive of the airline is advocating for Air Peace to establish service to a 'primary airport,' emphasizing that UK carriers, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, possess the capacity to operate flights from Nigeria's primary airports, including Muhammed International Airport (LOS) and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (ABV).

When discussing the choice to decline the offer, Onyema shared his perspective with The Whistler:

"It took seven years for them to come and do the audit. Now we have got the approval. The next thing is slots, and they are telling us to go to London Stansted or take London Gatwick. I'm not going to Stansted or Gatwick. You come to the primary airport in Nigeria, and by BASA, you enjoy the two primary airports. So, you will give me your own primary airport. It must be Heathrow or nothing."

Why are LHR slots so valuable?

The most coveted airport slots in the UK, and indeed among the most sought-after globally, are located at LHR. Heathrow stands as one of the world's busiest aviation hubs, accommodating over 60 million passengers annually.

Known for its extensive global connectivity terminals tailored for major airline alliances, securing access to LHR slots is a significant milestone that elevates an airline's presence in the industry.

In congested airports like LHR, the number of new slots available is very limited. With slot demand here vastly exceeding supply, the market has become furious. One of the most expensive deals to make media attention was the purchase in 2016 of a pair of slots by Oman Air from Air France-KLM for $75 million. Similarly, top prices were paid in 2015 by American Airlines, $60 million for a pair of slots from SAS.

aljharem:
Nothing wrong with Gatwick

aljharem:
Nothing wrong with Gatwick

aljharem:
Nothing wrong with Gatwick

jahsharon:
Good.

I hate flat headed drug traffickers and baby factory merchants, but this is a very good one from them.

Thumbs Up Niggas

aljharem:
Nothing wrong with Gatwick